Independent volume control in a bilateral auditory prosthesis system

ABSTRACT

An exemplary system includes 1) a first sound processor included in a first auditory prosthesis system associated with a first ear of a patient, the first sound processor including a first volume control facility, and 2) a second sound processor included in a second auditory prosthesis system associated with a second ear of the patient, the second sound processor including a second volume control facility. The first volume control facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the first volume control facility, a first volume level perceived by the patient when electrical stimulation is applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system. The second volume control facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the second volume control facility, a second volume level perceived by the patient when acoustic stimulation is applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/729,016, filed Jun. 2, 2015, which applicationis a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/994,698,filed Jun. 14, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,149 on Jun. 23,2015, which application is a U.S. National Stage Entry of PCTApplication No. PCT/US10/60754, filed Dec. 16, 2010. The contents ofthese applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirrespective entireties.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The natural sense of hearing in human beings involves the use of haircells in the cochlea that convert or transduce acoustic signals intoauditory nerve impulses. Hearing loss, which may be due to manydifferent causes, is generally of two types: conductive andsensorineural. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanicalpathways for sound to reach the cochlea are impeded. These soundpathways may be impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicular chain,excessive cerumen, or a malformed tympanic membrane. Mild conductivehearing losses can be treated with hearing aids, stronger losses mayrequire a middle ear surgery or a bone-anchored hearing aid.

Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, is primarily caused bythe absence or destruction of the outer hair cells on the basilarmembrane. There are rare cases in which sensorineural hearing loss iscaused by a malfunction of the vestibulocochlear nerve or even thecentral processing system. To overcome sensorineural hearing loss,numerous cochlear implant systems—or cochlear prostheses—have beendeveloped. Cochlear implant systems bypass the major part of the ear bypresenting electrical stimulation directly to the auditory nerve fibersby way of one or more channels formed by an array of electrodesimplanted in the cochlea. Direct stimulation of the auditory nervefibers leads to the perception of sound in the brain and at leastpartial restoration of hearing function. Cochlear implants are typicallycapable of providing high-frequency information up to 8 kHz.

There is a certain group of people that has some degree of residualhearing in the low frequencies (e.g., below 1 kHz) and a severe hearingloss in the high frequencies (e.g., above 1 kHz). These people cannotbenefit from traditional amplification because of the severity of thehearing loss in the high frequencies. Nor are they classic cochlearimplant candidates, because of their mostly intact low frequencyresidual hearing.

For this group of people, various electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”)systems have been developed that provide such patients with the abilityto perceive both low and high frequencies. Electro-acoustic stimulationrefers to the use of a hearing aid and a cochlear implant together inthe same ear. The hearing aid acoustically amplifies the low frequencieswhile the cochlear implant electrically stimulates the high frequencies.The auditory nerve combines the acoustic and electric stimuli to oneauditory signal. Results of various studies have shown a highlysynergistic effect between hearing aid and cochlear implant technology,particularly evident in speech understanding, pitch discrimination, andmusic appreciation.

However, electro-acoustic stimulation systems suffer from the problemthat the perceptual sensitivity of a patient to acoustic stimulation isquite different than the perceptual sensitivity of the patient toelectrical stimulation. For example, sensitivity of a patient toelectrical stimulation often changes throughout the day and inaccordance the health state of the patient while the sensitivity of thepatient to acoustic stimulation is typically more consistent. Hence, itwould be desirable for the patient to be able to independently adjust avolume associated with the acoustic stimulation and a volume associatedwith the electrical stimulation. Unfortunately, current electro-acousticstimulation systems balance the two types of stimulation during thefitting process only and do to provide a control for the user to changethe balance throughout the day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a partof the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examplesand do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings,identical or similar reference numbers designate identical or similarelements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary EAS system according to principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified diagram of exemplary components that mayfacilitate independent control of a volume associated with electricalstimulation provided by a cochlear implant and a volume associated withacoustic stimulation provided by a hearing aid receiver according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation of the EAS system of FIG. 1according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 4-6 shows perspective views of exemplary EAS devices according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 7 shows another exemplary implementation of the EAS system of FIG.1 according to principles described herein.

FIGS. 8-11 show various bilateral auditory prosthesis systemconfigurations according to principles described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method of facilitating independentvolume control in an EAS system according to principles describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for independent volume control in a bilateralauditory prosthesis system are described herein. As will be describedbelow, a bilateral auditory prosthesis system may include a firstauditory prosthesis system associated with a first ear of a patient anda second auditory prosthesis system associated with a second ear of thepatient. The first auditory prosthesis system may include a first soundprocessor that includes a first volume control facility and the secondauditory prosthesis system may include a second sound processor thatincludes a second volume control facility. Each volume control facilitymay be configured to control a different type of volume level for theentire bilateral auditory prosthesis system.

For example, the first volume control facility may be associated withelectrical stimulation and the second volume control facility may beassociated with acoustic stimulation. In this configuration, the firstvolume control facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the firstvolume control facility by a user, a first volume level perceived by thepatient when electrical stimulation is applied by either the firstauditory prosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system.Likewise, the second volume control facility adjusts, in response toactuation of the second volume control facility by the user, a secondvolume level perceived by the patient when acoustic stimulation isapplied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the secondauditory prosthesis system.

Numerous advantages are associated with the systems and methodsdescribed herein. For example, the systems and methods described hereinmay allow a patient to selectively and independently control a volumeassociated with electrical stimulation provided by a bilateral auditoryprosthesis system and a volume associated with acoustic stimulationprovided by the bilateral auditory prosthesis system. This may bebeneficial in many different scenarios. For example, some bilateralpatients have to regularly adjust the electrical stimulation volumethroughout the day due to a fading effect of the electrical stimulation.However, these patients may not desire to simultaneously adjust theacoustic stimulation volume, which is less affected by the fadingeffect. The systems and methods described herein may allow thesepatients to independently adjust the electrical stimulation volumewithout affecting the acoustic stimulation volume. Moreover, the systemsand methods described herein may allow independent control of theelectric and acoustic stimulation volume levels utilizing components(e.g., rotatable control dials) already included in (e.g., disposed on)sound processors.

Systems and methods for independent volume control in EAS systems arealso described herein. In some examples, an EAS subsystem is configuredto direct a cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulationrepresentative of audio content included in a first frequency band(e.g., a “high” frequency band) to a patient. The EAS subsystem may befurther configured to direct a receiver to apply acoustic stimulationrepresentative of audio content included in a second frequency band(e.g., a “low” frequency band) to the patient. The frequency bands maybe selected based on the hearing loss of the patient or a patient group.A volume control subsystem may be communicatively coupled to the EASsubsystem and configured to facilitate independent control of a volumeassociated with the electrical stimulation and a volume associated withthe acoustic stimulation.

For example, the volume control subsystem may include a first volumecontrol mechanism configured to adjust the volume associated with theelectrical stimulation in response to actuation of the first volumecontrol mechanism by a user and a second volume control mechanismconfigured to adjust the volume associated with the acoustic stimulationin response to actuation of the second volume control mechanism by theuser. Additional or alternative implementations of the volume controlsubsystem will be described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary EAS system 100. EAS system 100 mayinclude one or more microphones (e.g., microphone 102), an EAS subsystem104, a headpiece 106, a receiver 108, a cochlear implant 110, and a lead112 having a plurality of electrodes 114 disposed thereon. EAS system100 may further include a volume control subsystem 116, which may beselectively and communicatively coupled to EAS subsystem 104. Each ofthe components shown in FIG. 1 may include or be implemented by anycombination of hardware, software, and/or firmware as may serve aparticular implementation. For example, volume control subsystem 116 mayinclude or be implemented by a computing device or processor configuredto perform one or more of the functions described herein. Each of thecomponents shown in FIG. 1 will now be described in more detail.

Microphone 102 may detect an audio signal and input the audio signal (oran electrical signal representative of the audio signal) into EASsubsystem 104. Microphone 102 may include any type of microphone as mayserve a particular implementation and may be located external to thepatient, included within headpiece 106, positioned near or within theear canal, and/or implanted within the patient as may serve a particularimplementation.

EAS subsystem 104 may be configured to facilitate electro-acousticstimulation of a patient. For example, EAS subsystem 104 may include anycombination of components configured to direct cochlear implant 110 toapply electrical stimulation to the patient and to direct receiver 108to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. The electrical stimulationmay be representative of audio content included in a “high” frequencyband (e.g., a frequency band substantially equal to 1 kHz-8 kHz). Theacoustic stimulation may be representative of audio content included ina “low frequency band (e.g., a frequency band substantially equal to 100Hz to 1 kHz). It will be recognized that the frequency bands associatedwith both the electrical and acoustic stimulation may vary as may servea particular implementation.

EAS subsystem 104 may be configured to operate in accordance with one ormore control parameters. As used herein, a “control parameter” mayinclude any parameter governing an operation of EAS subsystem 104.Exemplary control parameters include, but are not limited to, volumecontrol parameters, microphone sensitivity parameters, program selectionparameters, noise reduction parameters, microphone direction parameters,pitch parameters, timbre parameters, sound quality parameters, mostcomfortable current levels (“M levels”), threshold current levels,channel acoustic gain parameters, front and backend dynamic rangeparameters, current steering parameters, pulse rate values, pulse widthvalues, frequency parameters, amplitude parameters, waveform parameters,electrode polarity parameters (i.e., anode-cathode assignment), locationparameters (i.e., which electrode pair or electrode group receives thestimulation current), stimulation type parameters (i.e., monopolar,bipolar, or tripolar stimulation), burst pattern parameters (e.g., burston time and burst off time), duty cycle parameters, spectral tiltparameters, filter parameters, and dynamic compression parameters.

To illustrate, EAS subsystem 104 may process an audio signal (which maybe detected by microphone 102, input by way of an auxiliary audio inputport, etc.) in accordance with one or more control parameters (e.g.,that may be associated with a particular sound processing strategy). EASsubsystem 104 may then direct cochlear implant 110 to generate and applyelectrical stimulation representative of audio content included in theaudio signal that is within the high frequency range at a volume levelspecified by a volume control parameter associated with the electricalstimulation. EAS subsystem 104 may additionally or alternatively directreceiver 108 to apply acoustic stimulation representative of audiocontent included in the audio signal that is within the low frequencyrange at a volume level specified by a volume control parameterassociated with the acoustic stimulation.

EAS subsystem 104 may be implemented by any number of devices orcomponents. For example, as will be described in more detail below, EASsubsystem 104 may be implemented by a single device that may be wornbehind or on the ear, similar to conventional hearing aids and/or soundprocessors used in cochlear implant systems. Alternatively, EASsubsystem 104 may be implemented by a single device configured to beworn off the ear and/or implanted within the patient.

Headpiece 106 may be configured to be affixed to a patient's head andpositioned such that a coil housed within headpiece is communicativelycoupled to a corresponding coil included within cochlear implant 110. Inthis manner, control parameters and power signals may be wirelesslytransmitted between EAS subsystem 104 and cochlear implant 110.

Receiver 108 may be positioned inside the ear canal of the patient (orat any other suitable location) and configured to apply acousticstimulation to the patient. For example, receiver 108 may include aspeaker configured to present an amplified version of audio contentincluded in the low frequency band to the patient.

Cochlear implant 110, lead 112, and electrodes 114 may be partially orfully implanted within a patient and configured to apply electricalstimulation to one or more stimulation sites associated with an auditorypathway (e.g., the auditory nerve) of the patient. Cochlear implant 110may include any type of implantable stimulator that may be used inassociation with the systems and methods described herein.

Volume control subsystem 116 may be selectively and communicativelycoupled to EAS subsystem 104 and may be configured to facilitateindependent control of a volume associated with the electricalstimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 and a volume associatedwith the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108.

To illustrate, FIG. 2 shows a simplified diagram of exemplary componentsthat may implement volume control subsystem 116 by facilitatingindependent control of a volume associated with the electricalstimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 and a volume associatedwith the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108. As shown in FIG.2, an audio signal detected by microphone 102 may be concurrently passedthrough a high pass filter 202 and a low pass filter 204. It will berecognized that in some implementations, high pass filter 202 and/or lowpass filter 204 may include band pass filters. High pass filter 202 mayinclude any suitable combination of analog and/or digital componentsconfigured to remove low frequency audio content (e.g., less than about1 kHz) and pass the remaining high frequency audio content to variableamplifier 206-1. Variable amplifier 206-1 may be configured to adjust avolume, or gain, of the high frequency audio content. For example,variable amplifier 206-1 may direct cochlear implant 110 to adjust anamplitude of the electrical stimulation that is applied to the patientto represent the high frequency audio content.

Likewise, low pass filter 204 may include any suitable combination ofanalog and/or digital components configured to remove high frequencyaudio content (e.g., greater or equal to about 1 kHz) and pass theremaining low frequency audio content to variable amplifier 206-2.Variable amplifier 206-2 may be configured to adjust a volume, or gain,of the low frequency audio content. For example, variable amplifier206-2 may adjust an amplitude of the acoustic stimulation that isapplied to the patient by way of receiver 108 to represent the lowfrequency audio content.

In some examples, variable amplifiers 206-1 and 206-2 may be configuredto adjust the volumes associated with the electrical and acousticstimuli, respectively, in response to user input provided by the patientand/or another user. Exemplary user input may include, as will bedescribed in more detail below, user actuation of one or more volumecontrol mechanisms.

Returning to FIG. 1, EAS subsystem 104 and volume control subsystem 116may be implemented by any combination of components as may serve aparticular implementation. For example, EAS subsystem 104 and volumecontrol subsystem 116 may be implemented by a single device. Toillustrate, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation 300 of EAS system100 in which a single EAS device 302 is configured to implement EASsubsystem 104 and volume control subsystem 116. EAS device 302 may bedimensioned to fit behind or on the ear of a patient. Alternatively, EASdevice 302 may be worn or carried off the ear by the patient.

As shown in FIG. 3, EAS device 302 may include a sound processor 304 anda volume control facility 306 communicatively coupled one to another.Sound processor 304 may include any combination of components configuredto process an audio signal and direct cochlear implant 110 to applyelectrical stimulation representative of high frequency content includedin the audio signal to the patient and to direct receiver 108 to applyacoustic stimulation representative of low frequency content included inthe audio signal to the patient.

Volume control facility 306 may include any combination of componentsconfigured to facilitate independent control of a volume associated withthe electrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 and a volumeassociated with the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108. Forexample, volume control facility 306 may include separate volume controlmechanisms associated with each of the electrical stimulation and theacoustic stimulation, respectively.

To illustrate, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary EASdevice 302 that includes a first volume control mechanism 402-1 and asecond volume control mechanism 402-2 (collectively referred to hereinas “volume control mechanisms 402”) disposed on an outer surface of EASdevice 302. Volume control mechanisms 402 may include rotatable controldials, as shown in FIG. 4, or any other type of control mechanism thatmay be actuated by a user.

First volume control mechanism 402-1 may be configured to adjust thevolume associated with the electrical stimulation provided by cochlearimplant 110 in response to actuation of first volume control mechanism402-1 by a user and second volume control mechanism 402-2 may beconfigured to adjust the volume associated with the acoustic stimulationprovided by receiver 108 in response to actuation of second volumecontrol mechanism 402-2 by the user. Hence, the user may increase ordecrease the volume associated with the electrical stimulation providedby cochlear implant 110 by actuating (e.g., rotating clockwise orcounter-clockwise) first volume control mechanism 402-1. Likewise, theuser may increase or decrease the volume associated with the acousticstimulation provided by receiver 108 by actuating (e.g., rotatingclockwise or counter-clockwise) second volume control mechanism 402-2.

FIG. 4 also shows that EAS device 302 may include a program selectionswitch 404 configured to facilitate selection by a user of one or moreprograms (i.e., sound processing strategies) by which EAS device 302 mayoperate. To illustrate, program selection switch 404 may be selectivelypositioned in one of two positions. Each position corresponds to aparticular program. For example, the first position may correspond to a“normal” program wherein EAS device 302 may operate in accordance withone or more default control parameters. The second position maycorrespond to a “noise reduction” program, wherein EAS device 302 mayoperate in accordance with one or more noise reduction parameters. Insome examples, the volume associated with the electrical stimulationprovided by cochlear implant 110 and the volume associated with theacoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108 may be automaticallyadjusted in accordance with a positioning of program selection switch404.

In some alternative embodiments, first volume control mechanism 402-1may serve as an overall volume control mechanism configured to adjust anoverall volume associated with both the electrical stimulation and theacoustic stimulation in response to actuation of first volume controlmechanism 402-1 by a user. Second volume control mechanism 402-2 mayserve as a balance control mechanism configured to adjust the volumeassociated with the electrical stimulation relative to the volumeassociated with the acoustic stimulation in response to actuation ofsecond volume control mechanism 402-2 by the user. For example, the usermay rotate second volume control mechanism 402-2 in a clockwisedirection to increase the volume associated with the electricalstimulation relative to the volume associated with the acousticstimulation. Likewise, the user may rotate second volume controlmechanism 402-2 in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the volumeassociated with the electrical stimulation relative to the volumeassociated with the acoustic stimulation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative implementation of volume controlfacility 306. As shown in FIG. 5, EAS device 302 may alternativelyinclude an overall volume control mechanism 502, a treble controlmechanism 504, and a bass control mechanism 506 disposed on an outersurface of EAS device 302. Overall volume control mechanism 502 mayinclude a rotatable control dial or the like and may be configured toadjust an overall volume associated with both the electrical stimulationand the acoustic stimulation in response to actuation of overall volumecontrol mechanism 502 by a user. Treble control mechanism 504 and basscontrol mechanism 506 may include slideable levers, as shown in FIG. 5,or any other suitable type of mechanism and may facilitate tone balancecontrol. For example, the user may actuate treble control mechanism 504to fine tune or otherwise adjust the volume associated with theelectrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant 110. Additionally oralternatively, the user may actuate bass control mechanism 506 to finetune or otherwise adjust the volume associated with the acousticstimulation provided by receiver 108.

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternative implementation of volume controlfacility 306. As shown in FIG. 6, EAS device 302 may alternativelyinclude a single volume control mechanism 602 and a selection mechanism604 communicatively coupled to volume control mechanism 602. Selectionmechanism 604 may include a button, switch, or any other type ofselection mechanism and may be used by a user to selectively associatevolume control mechanism 602 with either the electrical stimulationprovided by cochlear implant 110 or the acoustic stimulation provided byreceiver 108.

For example, a user may actuate (e.g., press) selection mechanism 604 toselectively associate volume control mechanism 602 with the electricalstimulation provided by cochlear implant 110. The user may then actuate(e.g., rotate) volume control mechanism 602 to adjust the volumeassociated with the electrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant110. The user may subsequently actuate (e.g., press) selection mechanism604 again to selectively associate volume control mechanism 602 with theacoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108. The user may then actuate(e.g., rotate) volume control mechanism 602 to adjust the volumeassociated with the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108. Inthis or a similar manner, the electrical stimulation volume and theacoustic stimulation volume may be independently controlled using asingle volume control mechanism.

Additionally or alternatively, volume control facility 306 may include asensor communicatively coupled to volume control mechanism 602. Thesensor may be configured to detect a volume control factor andautomatically associate volume control mechanism 602 with either theelectrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 or the acousticstimulation provided by receiver 108 based on the detected volumecontrol factor. The volume control factor may include any factorassociated with EAS device 302 as may serve a particular implementation.For example, the volume control factor may include a time of day, anacoustic environment of the patient, and/or any other suitable factor.

To illustrate, the user may typically adjust the volume associated withacoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108 in the morning immediatelyafter waking up and the volume associated with the electricalstimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 throughout the day. Sensormay therefore detect the time of day and cause volume control mechanism602 to be associated with the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver108 during a predetermined time period in the morning and with theelectrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 during theremainder of the day. In this manner, the user does not have to manuallyassociate volume control mechanism 602 with the desired type ofstimulation each time he or she desires to adjust one of the volumelevels.

To further illustrate, volume control mechanism 602 may be automaticallyassociated with either the electrical stimulation provided by cochlearimplant 110 or the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108 basedon a detected acoustic environment of the patient. For example, thesensor may detect that the patient has entered an environment where itis desirable for the user to hear speech. Sensor may accordingly causevolume control mechanism 602 to be associated with electricalstimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 so that the patient mayincrease the volume associated with the electrical stimulation asdesired in order to better perceive the speech.

In some alternative embodiments, selection mechanism 604 may be used bya user to selectively associate volume control mechanism 602 with anoverall volume level associated with both the electrical stimulation andthe acoustic stimulation or with a balance between a volume levelassociated with the electrical stimulation and a volume level associatedwith the acoustic stimulation. For example, a user may actuate (e.g.,press) selection mechanism 604 to selectively associate volume controlmechanism 602 with an overall volume associated with both the electricalstimulation and the acoustic stimulation. The user may then actuate(e.g., rotate) volume control mechanism 602 to adjust the overall volumelevel. The user may subsequently actuate (e.g., press) selectionmechanism 604 again to selectively associate volume control mechanism602 with a balance between the electrical and acoustic stimulationvolumes. The user may then actuate (e.g., rotate) volume controlmechanism 602 to adjust the volume associated with the electricalstimulation relative to the volume associated with the acousticstimulation. For example, rotating volume control mechanism 602 in aclockwise direction may simultaneously increase the electricalstimulation volume and decrease the acoustic stimulation volume.Rotating volume control mechanism 602 in a counter-clockwise maysimultaneously decrease the electrical stimulation volume and increasethe acoustic stimulation volume.

In some alternative embodiments, volume control mechanism 602 mayinclude an intelligent volume control mechanism configured to beselectively associated with the electrical stimulation or the acousticstimulation in accordance with one or more features extracted from anaudio signal. For example, the signal energy in the low and highfrequency bands may be detected and used to selectively associatedvolume control mechanism 602 with the electrical stimulation or theacoustic stimulation. In this manner, volume control mechanism 602 maychange the volume where it makes most sense.

Returning to FIG. 1, EAS subsystem 104 and volume control subsystem 116may alternatively be implemented by separate devices. To illustrate,FIG. 7 shows an exemplary implementation 700 of EAS system 100 in whichEAS device 302 is configured to implement EAS subsystem 104 and remotecontrol device 702 is configured to implement volume control subsystem116. Remote control device 702 may include any type of computing deviceselectively and communicatively coupled to EAS device 302 and mayinclude a volume control facility 704, which may be similar to volumecontrol facility 306. For example, volume control facility 704 mayinclude one or more volume control mechanisms similar to those describedherein that are configured to facilitate independent control of thevolume associated with the electrical stimulation provided by cochlearimplant 110 and the volume associated with the acoustic stimulationprovided by receiver 108.

Volume control subsystem 116 may be configured to perform one or moreoperations in addition to facilitating independent control of the volumeassociated with the electrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant110 and the volume associated with the acoustic stimulation provided byreceiver 108. Examples of such operations will now be provided.

In some examples, volume control subsystem 116 may be configured to logone or more adjustments to the volume associated with the electricalstimulation and with the volume associated with the acoustic stimulationduring a specified time period. For example, volume control subsystem116 may be configured to store data representative of the adjustments ina storage device that may be a part of or otherwise associated with EASdevice 302, remote control device 702, and/or any other device. Based onthe logged one or more adjustments, volume control subsystem 116 maycalculate an average volume level associated with the electricalstimulation and an average volume level associated with the acousticstimulation. Volume control subsystem 116 may then detect apredetermined event associated with EAS subsystem 104 and automaticallyset, in response to the predetermined event, the electrical stimulationvolume to the calculated average electrical stimulation volume level andthe acoustic stimulation volume to the calculated average acousticstimulation volume level.

For example, volume control subsystem 116 may detect a rebooting of EASdevice 302. In response, volume control subsystem 116 may automaticallyset the electrical stimulation volume to the calculated averageelectrical stimulation volume level and the acoustic stimulation volumeto the calculated average acoustic stimulation volume level. In thismanner, the user may only have to make minimal adjustments to therespective volumes levels in order to achieve desired volume levelsafter EAS device 302 reboots.

Additionally or alternatively, volume control subsystem 116 may beconfigured to automatically adjust at least one of the volume associatedwith the electrical stimulation provided by cochlear implant 110 and thevolume associated with the acoustic stimulation provided by receiver 108to result in substantially consistent timbre perception for broadbandinput signals of different amplitudes. This may be performed during afitting process, for example, and may result in an optimized listeningexperience for the patient.

In some examples, a patient may be fitted with a bilateral auditoryprosthesis system. For example, the patient may have a distinct cochlearimplant and a distinct receiver for each ear. Volume control subsystem116 may be configured to facilitate independent control of theelectrical and acoustic stimulation volumes for each ear. Alternatively,any adjustments made to a volume level associated with the electrical oracoustic stimulation corresponding to one ear may be automaticallyapplied to the electrical or acoustic stimulation associated with theother ear. Volume control subsystem 116 may be implemented by one ormore volume control mechanisms on one side or both sides of thebilateral auditory prosthesis system. To illustrate, an electricalstimulation volume control mechanism may be located on the left sidewhile an acoustic stimulation volume control mechanism may be located onthe right side (or vice versa). Alternatively, an overall volume controlmechanism may be located on the left side while a balance controlmechanism may be located on the right side (or vice versa).Alternatively, all of the volume control mechanisms may be located on asingle side (e.g., the left side).

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary bilateral auditory prosthesis system 800 thatmay be fitted to a patient. As shown, bilateral auditory prosthesissystem 800 includes a first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 associatedwith a first ear of the patient and a second auditory prosthesis system802-2 associated with a second ear of the patient. Each auditoryprosthesis system 802-1 and 802-2 may detect an audio signal and provideelectrical and/or acoustic stimulation representative of the audiosignal to its respective ear. As shown, auditory prosthesis systems802-1 and 802-2 may communicate one with another by way of acommunication link 804 that interconnects auditory prosthesis systems802-1 and 802-2. Communication link 804 may include any suitable wiredand/or wireless link as may serve a particular implementation.

Auditory prosthesis systems 802-1 and 802-2 may each be implemented byany suitable type of auditory prosthesis system. For example, auditoryprosthesis systems 802-1 and 802-2 may each be implemented by an EASsystem configured to apply both electrical and acoustic stimulation toan ear of the patient, a cochlear implant system configured to applyonly electrical stimulation to an ear of the patient, or a hearing aidconfigured to apply only acoustic stimulation to the patient. Variousbilateral auditory prosthesis system configurations will now bedescribed in connection with FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration 900 in which first andsecond auditory prosthesis systems 802-1 and 802-2 are both implementedby an EAS system. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, first auditoryprosthesis system 802-1 includes a sound processor 902-1 that includes avolume control facility 904-1, a microphone 906-1, a headpiece 908-1, acochlear implant 910-1, a lead 912-1 having a plurality of electrodes914-1 disposed thereon, and a receiver 916-1. Likewise, second auditoryprosthesis system 802-2 includes a sound processor 902-2 that includes avolume control facility 904-2, a microphone 906-2, a headpiece 908-2, acochlear implant 910-2, a lead 912-2 having a plurality of electrodes914-2 disposed thereon, and a receiver 916-2.

Volume control facilities 904-1 and 904-2 may each be implemented in anyof the ways described herein. For example, volume control facility 904-1may be implemented by a rotatable control dial disposed on a surface ofsound processor 902-1 and volume control facility 904-2 may beimplemented by a rotatable control dial disposed on a surface of soundprocessor 902-2.

To facilitate independent volume control, volume control facility 904-1may be associated with electrical stimulation and volume controlfacility 904-2 may be associated with acoustic stimulation. Each volumecontrol facility 904-1 and 904-2 may be selectively associated with itsrespective type of stimulation in any of the ways described herein. Inthis configuration, volume control facility 904-1 adjusts, in responseto actuation of volume control facility 904-1 by a user (e.g., thepatient or a person other than the patient), a first volume levelperceived by the patient when electrical stimulation is applied byeither the first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 or the second auditoryprosthesis system 802-2. Likewise, volume control facility 904-2adjusts, in response to actuation of volume control facility 904-2 bythe user, a second volume level perceived by the patient when acousticstimulation is applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system802-1 or the second auditory prosthesis system 802-2. In this manner,the electrical and acoustic stimulation volumes for both auditoryprosthesis systems 802-1 and 802-2 may be independently controlledwithout the need for a separate remote control.

As shown in FIG. 9, sound processors 902-1 and 902-2 may communicatewith each other by way of communication link 804. For example, actuationof volume control facility 904-1 may set the first volume level to aparticular value. In response, sound processor 902-1 may transmit datarepresentative of the particular value to sound processor 902-2 by wayof communication link 804. In this manner, sound processor 902-2 mayadjust the volume level of electrical stimulation applied by auditoryprosthesis system 802-2 based on the actuation of volume controlfacility 904-1. Likewise, actuation of volume control facility 904-2 mayset the second volume level to a particular value. In response, soundprocessor 902-2 may transmit data representative of the particular valueto sound processor 902-1 by way of communication link 804. In thismanner, sound processor 902-1 may adjust the volume level of acousticstimulation applied by auditory prosthesis system 802-1 based on theactuation of volume control facility 904-2.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary configuration 1000 in which firstauditory prosthesis system 802-1 is implemented by a cochlear implantsystem and second auditory prosthesis system 802-2 is implemented by anEAS system. As shown, configuration 1000 is similar to configuration900, except that in configuration 1000, first auditory prosthesis system802-1 is configured to apply only electrical stimulation to the firstear of the patient. As described above, actuation of volume controlfacility 904-1 shown in FIG. 10 may adjust the volume level ofelectrical stimulation applied by either first auditory prosthesissystem 802-1 or second auditory prosthesis system 802-2. However,actuation of volume control facility 904-2 shown in FIG. 10 adjusts thevolume level of acoustic stimulation applied by second auditoryprosthesis system 802-2 only. This is because first auditory prosthesissystem 802-1 is not configured to provide acoustic stimulation inconfiguration 1000.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary configuration 1100 in which firstauditory prosthesis system 802-1 is implemented by an EAS system andsecond auditory prosthesis system 802-2 is implemented by a hearing aid.As shown, configuration 1100 is similar to configuration 900, exceptthat in configuration 1100, second auditory prosthesis system 802-2 isconfigured to apply only acoustic stimulation to the second ear of thepatient. As described above, actuation of volume control facility 904-2shown in FIG. 11 may adjust the volume level of acoustic stimulationapplied by either first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 or secondauditory prosthesis system 802-2. However, actuation of volume controlfacility 904-2 shown in FIG. 11 adjusts the volume level of electricalstimulation applied by first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 only. Thisis because second auditory prosthesis system 802-2 is not configured toprovide electrical stimulation in configuration 1100.

Returning to FIG. 9, in some alternative configurations, volume controlfacility 904-1 is configured to adjust, in response to actuation ofvolume control facility 904-1, an overall volume level perceived by thepatient when electrical stimulation or acoustic stimulation is appliedby either the first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 or the secondauditory prosthesis system 802-2. In these configurations, volumecontrol facility 904-2 is configured to adjust, in response to actuationof volume control facility 904-2, a balance between 1) a first volumelevel perceived by the patient when electrical stimulation is applied byeither the first auditory prosthesis system 802-1 or the second auditoryprosthesis system 802-2, and 2) a second volume level perceived by thepatient when acoustic stimulation is applied by either the firstauditory prosthesis system 802-1 or the second auditory prosthesissystem 802-2.

Adjustment of the overall volume level and the balance may befacilitated by communication link 918. For example, actuation of volumecontrol facility 904-1 may set the overall volume level to a particularvalue. In response, sound processor 902-1 may transmit datarepresentative of the particular value to sound processor 902-2 by wayof communication link 918. Sound processor 902-2 may adjust the overallvolume level in accordance with transmitted data.

Likewise, actuation of volume control facility 904-2 may set the balanceto a particular value. In response, sound processor 902-2 may transmitdata representative of the particular value to sound processor 902-1 byway of communication link 918. Sound processor 902-1 may adjust thebalance in accordance with transmitted data.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method 1200 of facilitating independentvolume control in an EAS system. While FIG. 12 illustrates exemplarysteps according to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to,reorder, and/or modify any of the steps shown in FIG. 12. One or more ofthe steps shown in FIG. 12 may be performed by any component orcombination of components of EAS subsystem 104, volume control subsystem116, EAS device 116, and/or remote control device 702.

In step 1202, electrical stimulation representative of audio contentincluded in a first frequency band is applied to a patient. Step 1202may be performed in any of the ways described herein.

In step 1204, acoustic stimulation representative of audio contentincluded in second frequency band is applied to the patient. Step 1204may be performed in any of the ways described herein.

In step 1206, independent control of a volume parameter associated withthe electrical stimulation and a volume parameter associated with theacoustic stimulation is facilitated. Step 1206 may be performed in anyof the ways described herein.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the processes described hereinmay be implemented at least in part as instructions executable by one ormore computing devices. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor)receives instructions, from a tangible computer-readable medium, (e.g.,a memory, etc.), and executes those instructions, thereby performing oneor more processes, including one or more of the processes describedherein. Such instructions may be stored and/or transmitted using any ofa variety of known non-transitory computer-readable media.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium (also referred to as aprocessor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read bya computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such a non-transitorymedium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatilemedia and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media may include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatilemedia may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”),which typically constitutes a main memory. Common forms ofnon-transitory computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, anEPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any othernon-transitory medium from which a computer can read.

In the preceding description, various exemplary embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. Forexample, certain features of one embodiment described herein may becombined with or substituted for features of another embodimentdescribed herein. The description and drawings are accordingly to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first sound processorincluded in a first auditory prosthesis system associated with a firstear of a patient, the first sound processor including a first volumecontrol facility; and a second sound processor included in a secondauditory prosthesis system associated with a second ear of the patient,the second sound processor including a second volume control facility;wherein the first volume control facility adjusts, in response toactuation of the first volume control facility by a user, a first volumelevel perceived by the patient when electrical stimulation is applied byeither the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditoryprosthesis system, and the second volume control facility adjusts, inresponse to actuation of the second volume control facility by the user,a second volume level perceived by the patient when acoustic stimulationis applied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the secondauditory prosthesis system.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: theactuation of the first volume control facility sets the first volumelevel to a particular value; and the first sound processor transmitsdata representative of the particular value to the second soundprocessor by way of a communication link that interconnects the firstand second sound processors.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thecommunication link comprises a wireless link.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein: the actuation of the second volume control facility sets thesecond volume level to a particular value; and the second soundprocessor transmits data representative of the particular value to thefirst sound processor by way of a communication link that interconnectsthe first and second sound processors.
 5. The system of claim 4, whereinthe communication link comprises a wireless link.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein: the first auditory prosthesis system comprises a firstelectro-acoustic system configured to apply both electrical stimulationand acoustic stimulation to the first ear of the patient; and the secondauditory prosthesis system comprises a second electro-acoustic systemconfigured to apply both electrical stimulation and acoustic stimulationto the second ear of the patient.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: thefirst auditory prosthesis system comprises a cochlear implant systemconfigured to apply only electrical stimulation to the first ear of thepatient; and the second auditory prosthesis system comprises anelectro-acoustic system configured to apply both electrical stimulationand acoustic stimulation to the second ear of the patient.
 8. The systemof claim 1, wherein: the first auditory prosthesis system comprises anelectro-acoustic system configured to apply both electrical stimulationand acoustic stimulation to the first ear of the patient; and the secondauditory prosthesis system comprises a hearing aid configured to applyonly acoustic stimulation to the second ear of the patient.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the first volume control facility isdisposed on a surface of the first sound processor; and the secondvolume control facility is disposed on a surface of the second soundprocessor.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the firstand second volume control facilities comprises a rotatable control dial.11. The system of claim 1, wherein the user is the patient.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the user is a person other than the patient.13. A system comprising: a first sound processor included in a firstauditory prosthesis system associated with a first ear of a patient, thefirst sound processor including a first volume control facility; and asecond sound processor included in a second auditory prosthesis systemassociated with a second ear of the patient, the second sound processorincluding a second volume control facility; wherein the first volumecontrol facility adjusts, in response to actuation of the first volumecontrol facility by a user, an overall volume level perceived by thepatient when electrical stimulation or acoustic stimulation is appliedby either the first auditory prosthesis system or the second auditoryprosthesis system, and the second volume control facility adjusts, inresponse to actuation of the second volume control facility by the user,a balance between a first volume level perceived by the patient when theelectrical stimulation is applied by either the first auditoryprosthesis system or the second auditory prosthesis system, and a secondvolume level perceived by the patient when the acoustic stimulation isapplied by either the first auditory prosthesis system or the secondauditory prosthesis system.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein: theactuation of the first volume control facility sets the overall volumelevel to a particular value; and the first sound processor transmitsdata representative of the particular value to the second soundprocessor by way of a communication link that interconnects the firstand second sound processors.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein: theactuation of the second volume control facility sets the balance to aparticular value; and the second sound processor transmits datarepresentative of the particular value to the first sound processor byway of a communication link that interconnects the first and secondsound processors.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein: the firstauditory prosthesis system comprises a first electro-acoustic systemconfigured to apply both electrical stimulation and acoustic stimulationto the first ear of the patient; and the second auditory prosthesissystem comprises a second electro-acoustic system configured to applyboth electrical stimulation and acoustic stimulation to the second earof the patient.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein: the first volumecontrol facility is disposed on a surface of the first sound processor;and the second volume control facility is disposed on a surface of thesecond sound processor.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein at least oneof the first and second volume control facilities comprises a rotatablecontrol dial.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the user is thepatient.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the user is a person otherthan the patient.